Two years ago we were celebrating just about the best year for farmers ever. Now many farmers – particularly in New South Wales and southern Queensland – are in the grip of drought.
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| How do you best help farmers strugging with a drought? |
It underlines just how variable the Australian climate can be.
While attention is focused on responding to the current situation, it is important to also think long-term. In our rush to help, we need to make sure well-meaning responses don’t do more harm than good.
The recent drought has stimulated much empathy for farmers from the media, governments and the public. Federal and state governments have committed hundreds of millions of dollars in farmer support. Private citizens and companies have also given generously to the cause.
Read the story from The Conversation - “Helping farmers in distress doesn’t help them be the best: the drought relief dilemma.”
(Had a living wage been paid to all Australians, including farmers, the dilemma about how we support those struggling with the drought would have been changed, simplified and maybe erased completely - Robert McLean)
